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SB 2495

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would require DESE and RIIL to implement a zero-tolerance anti-hazing policy for student athletics, with defined sanctions and student pre-participation acknowledgment

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 2495

Summary of SB 2495 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Bill at a Glance

  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION — HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Introduced: February 6, 2026
  • Introduced By: Senators LaMountain, McKenney, Felag, Burke, Gallo, Tikoian, DiPalma, Murray, Appollonio
  • Referred To: Senate Judiciary
  • Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (as of April 30, 2026)
  • Effective Date: Upon passage

Purpose and Intent

The bill adds a new statutory provision directing the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop and implement an anti-hazing policy for acts of hazing in student athletics, in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL). The core aim is to establish zero tolerance for hazing, ensure transparent and consistent discipline, and align school athletics with broader school climate, anti-bullying, and anti-hate initiatives.

Key Provisions

Section 16-21-44: Policy on addressing and prohibiting hazing in student athletics

  • Parties Involved: DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and RIIL (Rhode Island Interscholastic League).
  • Policy Objective: Create an anti-hazing policy for acts of hazing in student athletics; emphasize zero tolerance; ensure consistent discipline statewide.
  • Components Required in Policy:
    1. Definitions and Illustrations: Clear definitions and examples of hazing.
    2. Sanctions and Penalties: Potential penalties for students/student-athletes who engage in hazing (e.g., suspension from a team, duration of suspension, and, where appropriate, team-level consequences such as cancellation of a season).
    3. Consent Not a Defense: Acknowledgment that consent to hazing is not a defense.
    4. Education and Prevention: Integration with broader statewide efforts on school climate, anti-bullying, and anti-hate initiatives.
    5. Pre-Participation Acknowledgment: Each student-athlete must sign an acknowledgment before attending practices, meetings, games, or other functions, recognizing that policy violations may lead to penalties. The acknowledgment can be separate or combined with other required documents.
  • Definition Guidance: DESE and RIIL shall use best practices to establish a comprehensive definition of hazing. Guidance examples mention humiliating, degrading, abusing, or endangering a person, often within a group setting.
  • Scope: All schools and districts participating in RIIL are subject to the policy and its anti-hazing provisions.

Section 2: Effective Date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who and What is Affected

  • Students and Student-Athletes: Subject to hazing policy, including required pre-participation acknowledgment and potential disciplinary sanctions.
  • Schools and Districts: Participation in RIIL and adherence to the new anti-hazing policy; implementation of sanctions and prevention programs.
  • DESE and RIIL: Joint responsibility to develop, promulgate, and enforce the policy; align with statewide anti-bullying and anti-hate initiatives.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Process: Bill introduced in February 2026; referred to Senate Judiciary; committee consideration resulted in a recommendation to hold for further study (April 30, 2026). If advanced, it would proceed through the normal legislative process and, upon passage, take effect immediately.
  • Implementation Path: The act contemplates DESE and RIIL issuing rules/regulations and creating a formal anti-hazing policy with defined sanctions, educational components, and required student acknowledgments.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Establishes a statewide standardized stance against hazing in athletics, potentially leading to more uniform sanctions across schools.
  • Emphasizes transparency in disciplinary actions and alignment with broader school climate and anti-bullying efforts.
  • Requires a formal pre-participation acknowledgment by student-athletes, creating an accountability mechanism at the outset of participation.
  • The definition of hazing and the range of penalties may influence athletic programs, school culture, and the handling of hazing incidents at the local level.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill explicitly states that consent cannot be used as a defense, reinforcing the seriousness of hazing violations.
  • The exact sanctions (e.g., length of suspensions, season cancellations) would be determined under the finalized policy and accompanying regulations.
  • The act relies on collaboration between DESE and RIIL to develop and implement the policy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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